Staging means preparing your house for viewing, akin to preparing a stage for a performance. You need to make it look its best for the “audience,” and look appealing to a prospective buyer.

First, be objective. What seems homey to you might seem trite or perhaps crowded and messy to an outsider.

Start outside the front door. As you approach, does it say, “welcome, come in”?

The foliage and grass need to be clean and manicured. The front door should be strong and protective looking, yet aesthetically appealing. Does it need a fresh coat of paint?

Professional colorists suggest putting a pot of yellow mums outside the front door as an added “welcome mat.”

Once inside, the foyer should feel open, so get rid of any excess pieces of furniture or accessories. Good lighting also adds to the openness and invites people to come in. If there is a table in the foyer, keep the accessories on it to a minimum. Are there vases or pots on the floor? Clean them up so they don’t take up too much space. If the foyer feels crowded, it can give the impression that the entire house is confining.

The formal living room should feel formal. Again, too many things, no matter how precious, will only turn off a prospective buyer.

Is the carpet clean? Is the upholstery in good order? Your house might be constructed very well, but if the furnishings are shabby, it will seem as if the house is in need of repair.

Kitchens and master baths are the rooms with the most selling ability.

A well-appointed kitchen and a roomy, fresh-looking master bath will sell a home faster than fancy furniture throughout the house.

Clean up the kitchen by clearing the counters. Put everything away that you can. Then go through the cupboards and clean them out also. Yes, a buyer will look inside the cupboards and in the pantry just to see if there really is a lot of storage space. If they are crowded or unkempt, the buyer will get the impression that storage is limited.

Does the stove top need cleaning or does it need to be replaced? Spending a few dollars to replace the stove will get you many more dollars in the house sale. You might not be able to raise the selling price of your home because you bought a new stove, but you might have a hard time selling the house if your stove needs replacing.

Clean out all the excess in the master bath. Put makeup and other cosmetics away. Think of how a picture-perfect bathroom in a designer magazine would look. Try to imitate that look.

If the mirrors have corrosion creeping up the bottom and/or sides, the cost of replacing them is cheap compared to the weeks/months lost in no sales because the bathroom looks messy or old.

Put out your best matching towels out for open house. Be sure to have them hanging or folded in an attractive manner. Hide the soap – or put out a fresh cake.

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